Dayid l



@taint gieten @sind @fitta DAVID L.l MCGREGOR, OF GHARLESTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No. 72,312, dated December 17, 1867.

IMPROVED BACK-BAND FASTENER.

Be it known that I, DAVID L. McGnEGon, ot Charlestown, in the county ot` Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Back-Band Fasteners or Holders for Saddles, of which the `following is a, full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specication, in which- Figui-cm1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a saddle embodying my improvement.V

Figure 2 is a perspective view ofthe same; and

Figure 3 is almodiicaticn of my invention.

Similar'letters indicate like parts in the several i'igures.

The object of my invention is to obviate the difficulties incident to the mode of constructing the back-band. fastenings for saddles, as generally used, such as the breaking away and stretching ofthe back-band and'injury to the saddle, caused by the working or motion of the same; and the invention consists in forming the portion that connects the buck-band to the saddle of ,metal straps, which may be attached directly to and be sustained by tlie saddle-tree, or be connected together at the top of the saddle-tree.

lThe fastening, as commonly` used, consists of a strap of leather, which is carried over the saddle-tree and secured by the 'tei-ret. 'lhe constant wear and motion of the back-band, when'in use, causes the fastening to become stretched and frequently broken, thus requiring frequent repairs.

Referring to the drawings, a represents the saddle-tree, which may be made of wood or metal in the usual manner.. b is the jockey, e is the lap, and d d are the terrets, all constructed and put together in the ordinary way. e e represent metallic straps of any suitable thickness and width. In g. 1 they are represented as formed with a hook or curved portion at thc upper end, which hook takes into an opening' in the saddle-trlee, as shown, where it will he firmly sustained. The terret-screw rl passes through an opening made in the same, and servesto hold it firmly in position. 'lhe straps e project below the jockey, where a ring,f, is attaehed, ,whieh sustains the buck-'banda Instead ofthe hooks at the upper end of the strap e, the same may be screwed to the saddle-tree; ort-lie vsaid straps may extend toltlre top of Vthe saddle, and be fastened to each other by a hook,

formed upon one of the straps, engaging in a slot formed in the other, as shown in fig. 3, and in the latter may be several slots to admit of the straps being adjusted to different lengths'. The straps or holders e may thus be very readily applied or detached, they cannot stretch, and are not liable to break, and by their application a. ner iinish'can'be given to the saddle. than when the nccessni'ilywthick leather holder is used.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The metallic back-band fastener e, in combination with a saddle, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my naine to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAVID L. MCGREGOR.

Witnesses J. H. ADAMS, M. S. Gr. WILBE. 

